Ad blocker extensions caught in cookie-stuffing ad fraud scheme
Google has removed two extensions from the Chrome Web Store. The two extensions were fully functional ad blockers, but they tried to deceive users by using the names of other more reputable ad blocker extensions. But besides using misleading names to hijack and deceive other extensions' user bases, the two -- "AdBlock" by "AdBlock, Inc" and "uBlock" by "Charlie Lee" -- were also caught performing cookie stuffing - a form of affiliate ad fraud. (ZDNet)
SEC charges Comscore Inc. and former CEO with accounting and disclosure fraud
The Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday charged global information and media analytics firm, Comscore, Inc., and its former CEO with engaging in a fraudulent scheme to overstate revenue by approximately $50 million and making false and misleading statements about key performance metrics. (SEC)
Vox Media acquires the company behind New York Magazine
Vox Media announced that it’s acquiring New York Media, making it the new owner New York Magazine, as well as digital offshoots like The Cut and Vulture. (TechCrunch)
Android apps with scores of downloads serve up annoying ads, unwanted subscriptions
Hundreds of millions of Android devices have potentially been compromised by malicious adware and ad fraud apps that on the surface appear to offer harmless services such as selfie filters, weather forecasts or VPN security, according to a trio of recently released research reports. (SC Magazine)
How to use data to proactively tackle advertising fraud
Micarla Joseph, Senior manager of Buying at M&C Saatchi Performance outlines how companies can be more proactive instead of reactive when dealing with ad fraud by using their own data. (The Drum)
The Trade Desk’s new ad campaign pokes Google and Facebook in the ribs
The Trade Desk's new campaign doesn’t call out competitors by name, but discusses how it’s different than “walled garden” companies, which don’t give advertisers a full picture of how their ads are performing. (CNBC)
